Veteran actor to present Friday performance, workshop

Celebrated stage actor Timothy Mooney brings to life Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known as Moliere the legendary actor and playwright of the 17th century Parisian theater, at Wabash College’s Ball Theater Friday evening..

Mooney’s 8 p.m. performance "Moliere Than Thou" is free and open to the public and part of the Visiting Artist Series.

"Our goal is to get students in close contact with professional artists and performers," said theater professor James Fisher.

As part of that goal Mooney will be presenting a two-hour workshop at 4 p.m. with Wabash College students.

"This will stress classical acting and enhances the work students do in our Acting and Directing classes," Fisher said. "Since we often produce theater classics, we see this as helping us to deliver a higher level of performance in the productions we do.

"There is also the obvious opportunity to introduce students to plays and characters of Moliere through both the workshop and Mr. Mooney’s one-person performance."

Fisher said students will be providing the technical support for the 8 p.m. show, including lighting, sound and backstage support.

"So they will have the opportunity to work with him through a technical rehearsal and his performance which, of course, raises the bar for them in having to measure up to the expectations of a seasoned professional."

Mooney has a diverse 20-plus year stage career. He has acted, directed, and worked as literary manager to artistic director at theaters across the country.

His stops include repertory theatres in Milwaukee and Seattle. He worked as resident director and literary manager at Chicago’s Playwright’s Center, before taking over as artistic director at the Stage Two Theatre Company in 1993, where he produced more than 50 plays in less than five years.

His broad range of experience includes two children’s stories, The Monsters Can’t Find You In The Dark and Isaac and the Dinosaurs.